First, I'm somewhat unhappy at work and I feel I'm not using my full potential. My supervisor tells me that "things are gonna happen", but I don't think I can wait that long, seeing as it might not be what I'm going to school for. The only thing keeping me here is my benefits and pay. What should I do?

Second, there's someone I know whom I have a heartfelt crush on and totally have the hots for, but it seems like she won't give me her time of day. I've told her how I felt, she acknowledges it, but I'm wondering why she doesn't look my way. I don't know what else to do or say. Do nice guys really finish last?

Signed,
Lost in Wonderland

Dear Lost
You are unhappy with work. Well, welcome to the real world mister. Unless your name is Paris Hilton get used to crappy jobs where you are under appreciated because you'll have them all your life. I only know a handfull of people who actually work in the field they went to school for. If the benefits and pay are the only things keeping you there well.... what else is there? Stay.

Ok seriously, if you don't like your job leave. Just have something to replace it. Because if you think your second question is hard now, just think how hard it will be to get a girl when you ain't got no job. Remember the TLC song "No Scrubbs"

To answer your second question, I say to move on. You can't force anyone to like or love you. If they don't click with you then fine, there are other fish in the sea. Stop wasting your time with someone who isn't interested and use that energy to find someone who is. Don't take it personal either. Just because someone isn't interested in you doesn't mean you are a bad person, it just means that the person isn't interested in you. That simple.

I'm trapped in LA for another month and my good friends from the FanForce won't come out to play.

Signed,

Don't cry for me Portland.

Dear Cry Wolf (I added that last part)
Have you asked anyone? You can't really complain if you haven't done anything. I didn't know you were here for just one more month. I heard there was an event this weekend. Are you going? And from your track record, do we really know it's one more month? Really?

If an infinite number of monkeys sat down at an infinite number of typewriters, would they at some point, end up randomly typing the complete works of Shakespeare? If so, would they employ hippos to change the ribbons?

Thanks!

Dear No Name
I have a degree in social work. How would I know such things? I help people with social problems.
But since you ask, here goes my educated answer to your question. I thought very long and hard on this one and have come up with this response.

I don't write you often, but life lately is crap, so this past week I've been using my *imagination*--I don't do this too often since it requires concentration and takes up way too much time (a couple-several hours a day, probably, to do it properly). My question is, will the fake relationship I've come to by this point be ok/cool like, say, Sarah Vowell's ('cause she's awesome and stuff), or crazy like...well, someone you wouldn't like to associate with? I'm well aware of reality (as I hope you know). So...knock it off, or keep having fun?

Sillily yours (& hoping this isn't TMI),
Head in the Clouds

Dear Silly
Do what makes you happy. Just don't let it take over to where it interfers with your life or the lives of others.

Oh and on another note Sarah Vowell seems cool. I googled her. I guess you learned of her from The Daily Show? Or Conan?

I've gained 5 pounds in the past month. I'm on a binge of bad eating. Last week, I ate a hamburger, a big hot dog, a slice of pizza, potato salad, doritos, chocolate chip cookies, and fruit for one meal! Today I tried the Pastrami Burger at Carl's Jr. It was delicious, but my pants are too tight now. Am I on the way to destruction? What is causing this binge? How an I stop and lose these 5 pounds before things get out of control?

Dear Fat Jedi
Losing weight is hard, and it takes a long time if you do it right. You just have to make better choices. Only you can stop putting food in your mouth. You just have to be strong and take control. Are you eating because you are bored? Try doing something else. Don't go to fast food restaurants except maybe Subway and only then get the six inch without mayo.

Do you exercise? Go to the gym. Forty minutes of cardio four times a week will along with watching what you eat will drop those five pounds.

I've been feeling irritable lately. Some of my co-workers, who I like as friends, did not support our latest job action and it makes me feel betrayed. How do I stop having such mean feelings towards these rats/scabs?

Dear Out Two Days
Before you let your anger take over you need to know what their reasons were for not following along. Maybe they could not afford to lose two days pay.

There could be many reasons why but basically, you can't let the actions of others ruin your day. I do hope that you do get what you deserve though, and that the actions of those who didn't participate won't harm the work you were trying to do.

Dear Skyryder
Is it ok to date someone from work? You see we just hired this new guy who works really close to me like less than five feet, and we do the exact same job. He's really nice and we have lots in common; same age, both from the south, have the same last name, both go by our middle names, and then the most important thing we like the same type of people.

Last night I even went over to his house. He was having a party and invited me over. We had a good time, even played at the children's playground next door on the merry-go-round. It was all too cute.

So what should I do?

Signed Myself

****************************

Dear Me
This is a tricky fine line you walk. Move slowly. Workplace relationships can work, but they can also be awkward if things don't work out. Make sure he feels the same if you decided to persue the issue.

As long as you don't permanently ditch your old lunch buddy, and take it slow, I see no reason why not! He is nice, cute, and smart. Make plans to remain friends if it doesn't work out. Or just get him fired. But I hope it works out! Just don't forget your old lunch buddy...

Well, my policy was to not date anyone from work just in case it did not work out. As most of you know, that did not work out as I met Mr. DH at work. You need to weigh your options, how will work be if you are together? Will your relationship affect your work? If things don't work out will you still be able to work amicably next to each other? I'd hate for you to miss out on an excellent opportunity.

Good luck! I hope things work out.

BTF,

DH (friendly shoulder)

May I say that JB's tongue in cheek "suggestion" to "just get him fired" in the event it doesn't work out made me laugh?

Workplace relationships are like walking on thin ice. You don't want to get too involved, but you also don't want to ignore the person. I was told never to date(or sleep with) anyone who works with you. Because of a conflict of interest, and any one wrong thing either of you sees or does can easily be misinterprited by the other person. I would tread lightly on this. Trust in the Force, and follow your heart, not the voices in your head.

Workplace relationships are like walking on thin ice. You don't want to get too involved, but you also don't want to ignore the person. I was told never to date(or sleep with) anyone who works with you. Because of a conflict of interest, and any one wrong thing either of you sees or does can easily be misinterprited by the other person. I would tread lightly on this. Trust in the Force, and follow your heart, not the voices in your head.

Regards,
Jedi of the Sun (Sol_Jedi)

I also always heard "don't date anyone from work," and look where it got me (LOL). Seriously though, I've heard that the advice has been updated that it's OK just so long as one of you is not the other's boss or neither of you is otherwise "spoken for." But, if it doesn't work out, hmn, that would concern me. I always found it extremely difficult to remain even moderately friendly with exes.